Class 6A Graduate - Thank You Kari Luoto

The end of primary school for class 6A at Joensuun School, Somero

Today is a big day for school children in Finland. It is the official start of the summer holidays, which is always a good thing. It is also graduation day for many.

Yesterday there were concerts and parties in schools everywhere (Cameron's class did a brilliant performance of the cup song).

Then this morning church services were held around the country to mark the end of the school year. Those who are graduating received roses to mark their special day.



End of school service at Somero Church

For Cameron, this was his last day at primary school (which in Finland ends at age 13), so he joined his classmates from Joensuun School at Somero Church who all received roses and a goodbye and good luck message from the younger pupils as they now move on to secondary school.

Having been to school in the UK, I have never lived these school time experiences myself, but today I got to be part of a day which will stay in our memories for ever. I overheard parents talking about the day they received roses as children and I couldn't help wishing that I had the same memories from my own school career. All of the parents in the church felt proud of their children. And I'll admit it, I cried.

Kari Luoto hands out reports

After the service, the children all went outside to be given their end-of-term reports and say their goodbyes until the start of the next school year, and for those in Cameron's class, a new school.  Of course all these events mark a milestone in the lives of these children, perhaps one they will only fully realise when they are a few years older.

Another thing that many will come to look back on is the teachers they have had during this important time in their schooling. And I could not possibly complete this post without talking specifically about 6A's teacher, Kari Luoto. Kari has been teaching the same class for the last four years, so for him too, today was a day which was full of memories and emotions.

I am lucky enough to count Kari as one of my friends, and I have lost count of the amount of times I have said a silent thank you to destiny for sending him to be the teacher of my son.

Kari has not just been a teacher to these students, but he has been their friend and mentor as well. As a musicican and artist, Kari's pupils have received the gift of being around someone creative who showed them on a daily basis ways of  expanding their horizons and "thinking outside the box". 

One day, these children will look back and see just how lucky they have been . I am pretty sure the parents know it already.  In our personal case, Kari was also the one male figure in Cameron's life who stuck around and provided an important male role model when there was noone else in our family to do it. So words cannot express how grateful I am that Kari came into Cameron's life when he did.

Class 6A perform the cup song at school yesterday

For all these reasons, it was both a happy and sad today for all of us. Sadness in leaving the good memories behind of Joensuun School behind, and excitement at what the future has in store at Kiiruun Koulu next term.

Good luck to all six year students who are moving on today. I wish you all a very happy summer. And thank you to Kari Luoto, who inspired and looked after the pupils of 6A and gave them all a gift they will never forget.

 

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Good luck to Class 6A!

Look Up!

It's been a while since I've posted on here. No particular reason for that except for running around a lot, being in the UK several times and not spending much time near a computer.

Today though I had the strong feeling that I needed to post this picture.

It was taken a few days ago on a a bright sunny afternoon as I sat on the grass in Esplanadi in Helsinki. Sini, one of the friends I was sitting with, suddenly interrupted the conversation and just said "Look up."  We did.

I lay on my back and spent the next few minutes staring at the bright green leaves above us, and the way the light from the sun was making them dance.

Although we'd been enjoying the warmth and the sunshine, we'd have missed this scene if Sini hadn't reminded us to stop, change direction and look at it.

A few people who are important to me are going through some tough times right now. They have been on my mind a lot over the past few days and it is for them that I post this picture.

Life often feels rough, and presents us with challenges that are hard to understand. I know, because I have been there. But maybe this simple picture of the leaves in a tree can help to remind us that sometimes, if we change our view just a little bit, we can find something beautiful right next to us that we hadn't even noticed before.

Thank you Sini for that reminder...and a big hug to all of you. Feels good to be back <3